How to Reface a Refrigerator

Open the doors to paint trim areas that are usually hidden by the door gaskets.

If you cannot afford to buy a new refrigerator, you can reface an older one with spray paint or a special refinishing kit. Appliance-grade spray paint is made for appliances that don’t get excessively hot. If your heart is set on stainless steel or another metal such as copper, which are considered a high-end appliance upgrades, paint kits are available that help you duplicate the look with special primers, paints and sealers. Paint outside if possible, but if you must paint indoors, open all the windows and cover everything with drop cloths.

Prep the Refrigerator

1

Unplug the refrigerator, and clean the exterior with rubbing alcohol and rags.

2

Wrap the handles, logo, magnetized door gaskets, hinges and anything else you don’t want to paint with painter’s tape. Trim around the edges of the tape with the tip of a utility knife, if necessary, to make a clean, defined edge. Cover any large areas you don’t want to paint, such as the back, with heavy brown paper. Tape the edges of the paper to the refrigerator.

3

Sand the refrigerator very lightly with an ultra-fine-grit sanding sponge. Don’t sand through the paint; only create hazy scuff marks to help the new paint bond to the surface. Wipe dust off the refrigerator with a rag. If necessary, vacuum sanding dust from hard-to-reach areas using a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment.

4

Wipe the refrigerator with alcohol again.

Spray Paint

1

Put on a disposable dust mask, rubber or vinyl gloves and some form of eye protection.

2

Shake a can of appliance-grade refinishing spray primer vigorously to blend the primer.

3

Spray left to right across the top of the refrigerator with light, short bursts of primer. Don’t hold the nozzle down continually, which can create a heavy coat and puddles or runs. Continue spraying lightly back and forth, gradually working across the top, then down the refrigerator to the bottom. Let the primer dry.

4

Shake a can of appliance-grade spray paint, and spray the refrigerator using the same steps you used with the primer. After the first coat dries, apply at least two more coats of paint.

5

Cut around the edges of the tape with a utility knife, and peel off the tape after the final coat of paint is dry.

Metallic Paint Kit

1

Stir a can of appliance-grade paint primer with a paint stir stick, and fill a paint pan with the mixed primer.

2

Roll a foam paint roller through the paint pan to load it with primer.

3

Roll on a thin, even coat of primer on all parts of the refrigerator you will reface, working from the top of the refrigerator to the bottom. If the manufacturer supplied you with a wide, foam, paint-smoothing tool, which looks like a foam squeegee, drag the tool through the primer to remove any roller marks, which can show through the paint. If the paint-smoothing tool is not included, use a wide foam paintbrush. Let the primer dry.

4

Stir a can of appliance-grade special finish paint, such as stainless steel paint. Pour the paint into a paint pan, and load a clean roller with paint.

5

Roll a generous, but not dripping, coat of paint on the refrigerator, working top to bottom. Spread the paint as evenly as possible with overlapping passes of the roller.

6

Pull the foam paint-smoothing tool or foam brush through the paint. On the top of the refrigerator, pull the smoothing tool across from left to right. On the sides and doors, pull the tool straight down from the top. Let the paint dry, and apply two more coats.

7

Stir a can of paint sealer that is manufactured for the paint you used. Fill the paint pan with primer, and load a new or cleaned roller with sealer. Roll on the sealer the same way you rolled on the paint and primer, then smooth the sealer with the foam tool. Apply as many coats of sealer as the manufacturer recommends.

Things You Will Need

Rubbing alcohol

Rags

Painter’s tape

Utility knife

Brown paper (optional)

Sanding sponge, ultra-fine grit

Vacuum with hose attachment

Dust mask

Gloves, rubber or vinyl

Eye protection

Appliance-grade spray paint primer

Appliance-grade spray paint

Appliance faux metal refinishing paint kit (primer, paint and sealer)

Paint stir stick

Small paint roller, foam

Paint pan

Foam paint brush

Tip

Roll-on refinishing paint kits usually are the best do-it-yourself option for a metallic finish. Metallic spray paints tend to dry with splotches and shading variations, regardless of how many coats you apply.

If you have only one paint roller, paint pan and foam smoothing tool, wash them between coats to prevent the paint from drying on the tools.

Some appliances are designed to accommodate replacement panels. If that is the case, you can reface the refrigerator by pulling out the old panels and inserting new ones in a color and finish of your choice. Replacement panels are available from the refrigerator manufacturer and from companies that specialize in replacement panels. If your refrigerator doesn't have removable panels, some manufacturers make custom covers that mount on the face of refrigerator doors.

About the Author

Lee Carroll, a writer based in east Tennessee, has authored numerous law and DIY home improvement articles and essays. In addition to holding a degree in paralegal studies, she has more than 10 years of experience renovating newer homes and restoring historic property.